Full Fact, the UK's independent fact-checking charity, has compiled the latest round-up of viral claims circulating on social media, addressing two prominent falsehoods: the rules on breaking into a hot car to rescue a dog, and a fabricated quote from England captain Harry Kane.
What Are the Rules on Freeing Dogs in Hot Cars?
Widely shared Facebook posts claim that police now advise that you will not be charged with criminal damage if you smash a car window to rescue a dog in hot weather, provided you first take a photo and record the temperature. However, this is not official police advice.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) clarified to Full Fact that legally, breaking into a vehicle could still be classed as criminal damage. The posts, shared over 14,000 times, suggest that taking a picture and screenshotting the weather will protect you from charges. But the NPCC spokesperson stated: “If the dog’s condition is critical and the police haven’t arrived yet, you may consider breaking into the car to free them but it is important you tell the police what you intend to do and why, as well as taking photos or videos if possible.”
If you do break a window, you may be required to defend your actions, proving that your decision was reasonable and that you believed the owner would consent if present. The NPCC recommends taking witnesses’ details. Under the Criminal Damage Act 1971 (England and Wales), a person may have a “lawful excuse” if they believed the owner would have consented under the circumstances.
The RSPCA also advises calling 999 first and informing police if you intend to break in. The NPCC confirmed that police have powers to break into a vehicle to prevent animal suffering.
Viral Quote Attributed to Harry Kane Is Fake
Posts falsely claiming that England captain Harry Kane said he would not wear a rainbow LGBT pride symbol in upcoming matches have been circulating on Facebook. The alleged quote reads: “Football should be about what happens on the pitch—competitive spirit, player performance, and match results—not political or social movements.”
Full Fact contacted the Football Association (FA), which confirmed the quote is fake. No evidence of such a statement exists on Kane’s social media or in credible media reports. In fact, Kane has previously expressed pride in wearing the rainbow-coloured LGBTQ+ captain’s armband during Euro 2021 and was reportedly disappointed when FIFA banned the ‘OneLove’ rainbow armband at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Full Fact urges social media users to verify sources before sharing content. Their misinformation toolkit can help identify false claims.
